Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest updates and how to get care. Or use the virtual assistant below right to check symptoms.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is an open surgical cardiology procedure used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm, a condition where blood collects in the aorta near your stomach, causing the aorta to balloon. Aneurysms that get too big may rupture, a potentially fatal situation.
During abdominal aortic repair surgery, your doctor replaces the weakened aortic with a hollow man-made tube (a graft). The goal of placing the graft is to safely re-route blood past the aneurysm.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair can be done through open surgery or a less invasive endovascular procedure called Interventional Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair. Your surgeon will choose the best approach for you.
At Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento, our expert cardiovascular surgeons develop personalized cardiology treatment plans for every patient. Learn more about our expertise and approach to Cardiology Diagnosis and Treatment.
During open surgery, a graft replaces the weakened section of aortic wall. Then the aortic wall is wrapped back around the graft. Once in surgery:
If your aneurysm is small, your heart doctor may recommend a "wait and watch" approach to monitor it. Larger aneurysms will require treatment to repair them so they don't rupture, a potentially life-threatening situation.
The type of repair approach your doctor recommends – open surgery or minimally invasive repair – depends on a number of factors, including:
An endovascular, or interventional, procedure may be preferred for older and higher-risk patients. Learn more about Interventional Abdominal Aneurysm Repair.